Switching device configured to couple a first computer to a first peripheral device and one or more second peripheral devices and method of manufacturing same

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, a switching device is configured to couple a first computer to a first peripheral device and one or more second peripheral devices. The switching device includes: (a) a switch configured to couple to the one or more second peripheral devices; (b) a first hub including: (1) a first upstream port configured to couple to the first computer; (2) a first downstream port configured to couple to the first peripheral device; and (3) at least one second downstream port coupled to the switch. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is the National Stage of International Application No.PCT/US09/34141, filed Feb. 13, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S.Pat. No. 7,769,940 filed Feb. 13, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to switching devices, and relates moreparticularly to switching devices that couple two or more computers totwo or more peripheral devices and methods of manufacturing the same.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND

Peripheral or KVM (keyboard, video, and mouse) switches allow akeyboard, a mouse, a video monitor, or other peripheral devices tointeract with or be controlled by a computer selected from a group ofcomputers. Although peripheral switches take a variety of forms, theiressential purpose is to allow a keyboard, a mouse, a video monitor, andother peripheral devices to interact with the selected computer suchthat the computer receives and transmits signals to and from the variousperipheral devices regardless of the data protocol schemes employed byeither the selected computer or the peripheral devices.

Typically, however, peripheral switches do not allow a first computer tocontinue controlling a first peripheral device while control of theother peripheral device(s) is switched to a second computer. In somesituations, a user might want the first computer to continue performinga task (e.g., performing a data transfer or playing music) using a firstperipheral device while the second computer uses the other peripheraldevices. In some situations, such as performing a data transfer, anyinterruption of the control or the connection between the computer andthe peripheral device could cause file system corruption or data loss.

Accordingly, a need or potential for benefit exists for a switchingapparatus or system that allows a first computer to continue to controla first peripheral device while control of other peripheral devices isswitched to other computers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the followingdrawings are provided in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a switching device coupling three computers to sixperipheral devices, according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a switching device coupling three computers to sixperipheral devices, according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a switching device coupling two computers to fiveperipheral devices, according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a switching device coupling two computers to sevenperipheral devices, according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a switching device coupling two computers to fourperipheral devices, according to a fifth embodiment; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart for an embodiment of a method ofmanufacturing a switching apparatus.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figuresillustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions anddetails of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in thedrawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodimentsof the present invention. The same reference numerals in differentfigures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in thedescription and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishingbetween similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particularsequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the termsso used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such thatthe embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example,capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated orotherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and“have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover anon-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article,or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarilylimited to those elements, but may include other elements not expresslylisted or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,”“under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, areused for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describingpermanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms soused are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that theembodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capableof operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwisedescribed herein. The term “on,” as used herein, is defined as on, at,or otherwise adjacent to or next to or over.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the likeshould be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or moreelements or signals, electrically and/or mechanically, either directlyor indirectly through intervening circuitry and/or elements. Two or moreelectrical elements may be electrically coupled, either direct orindirectly, but not be mechanically coupled; two or more mechanicalelements may be mechanically coupled, either direct or indirectly, butnot be electrically coupled; two or more electrical elements may bemechanically coupled, directly or indirectly, but not be electricallycoupled. Coupling (whether only mechanical, only electrical, or both)may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or onlyfor an instant.

“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood andinclude coupling involving any electrical signal, whether a powersignal, a data signal, and/or other types or combinations of electricalsignals. “Mechanical coupling” and the like should be broadly understoodand include mechanical coupling of all types.

The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near theword “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. inquestion is or is not removable. For example, the recitation of anelectrical connector being coupled to a peripheral device does not meanthat the peripheral cannot be removed (readily or otherwise) from theelectrical connector.

“Peripheral device,” as used herein, can refer to any electrical devicethat can be coupled to a computer to expand its functionality orabilities. For example, a peripheral device can be a mouse, a keyboard,a video monitor or display, a printer, a scanner, a disk drive, a tapedrive, a microphone, a speaker, a digital media player, a joystick, aCD-ROM (computer disk read only memory) player, a DVD (digital videodisk) player, a USB (universal serial bus) hub, flash memory drive(e.g., a thumb drive), or a camera. “Mouse,” as used herein, includesall computer input point devices (mice, trackballs, touchpad, pointingsticks, etc.).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS

In a number of embodiments, a switching device is configured to couple afirst computer to a first peripheral device and one or more secondperipheral devices. The switching device is further configured to couplea second computer to a third peripheral device and the one or moresecond peripheral devices. The switching device includes: (a) a switchconfigured to couple to the one or more second peripheral devices; (b) afirst hub including: (1) a first upstream port configured to couple tothe first computer; (2) a first downstream port configured to couple tothe first peripheral device; and (3) at least one second downstream portcoupled to the switch; (c) a second hub including: (1) a first upstreamport configured to couple to the second computer; (2) a first downstreamport configured to couple to the third peripheral device; and (3) atleast one second downstream port coupled to the switch.

In additional embodiments, a switching device is configured to couple afirst computer to a first peripheral device and one or more secondperipheral devices. The switching device can include: (a) a switchconfigured to couple to the one or more second peripheral devices; (b) afirst hub having; (1) a first upstream port configured to couple to thefirst computer; (2) a first downstream port configured to couple to thefirst peripheral device; and (3) at least one second downstream portcoupled to the switch; (c) a first electrical connector coupled to thefirst downstream port of the first hub and configured to couple to thefirst peripheral device; and (d) one or more third connectors coupled tothe switch and configured to couple to the one or more second peripheraldevices.

In other embodiments, an electronic switchbox is configured to switch akeyboard and a mouse between two or more computers and also couple thetwo or more computers to two or more peripheral devices. The electricalswitchbox includes: (a) a keyboard switch configured to couple to thekeyboard; (b) a mouse switch configured to couple to the mouse; and (c)two or more hubs. In some examples, each hub of the two or more hubs isconfigured to couple one computer of the two or more computers to thekeyboard switch and the mouse switch. Each of the one or more hubs canbe further configured to couple directly to at least one peripheraldevice of the two or more peripheral devices.

The electronic switchbox can further include a video switch configuredto couple to a video monitor. Furthermore, each hub of the one or morehubs can be further configured to couple the computer of the two or morecomputers to the video switch and each of the two or more hubs isfurther configured to couple the computer of the two or more computersto the at least one peripheral device of the two or more peripheraldevices without using the video switch. In the same or a differentexample, the keyboard switch, the video switch, and the mouse switch areintegrated into a single switch.

Moreover in some examples, each hub of the one or hubs can include: (a)an upstream port configured to couple to one of the two or morecomputers; and (b) one or more downstream ports. The keyboard switch caninclude a first multiplexer coupled to a first one of the one or moredownstream ports of each hub of the two or more hubs. The firstmultiplexer is further configured to couple to the keyboard. The mouseswitch can include a second multiplexer coupled to a second one of theone or more downstream ports of each hub of the two or more hubs, thesecond multiplexer is further configured to couple to the mouse.

In many examples, the electronic switchbox can further include anemulator configured to emulate the keyboard and the mouse to at leastone of the two or more computers. The emulator can include one or moreemulation modules. Each of the one or more emulation modules configuredto emulate the keyboard and the mouse to one of the two or morecomputers. Each of the one or more emulation modules is coupled to onehub of the two or more hubs.

In yet another embodiment, an electronic switchbox can be configured toswitch a keyboard and a mouse between one or more computers and couplethe one or more computers to two or more peripheral devices. Theelectrical switchbox can include: (a) a keyboard switch configured tocouple to the keyboard; (b) a mouse switch configured to couple to themouse; and (c) one or more hubs. Each hub of the one or more hubs can beconfigured to couple a computer of the one or more computers to thekeyboard switch and the mouse switch. Each of the one or more hubs canbe further configured to couple the computer of the one or morecomputers to at least one peripheral device of the two or moreperipheral devices without using the keyboard switch or the mouseswitch.

In a further embodiment, an apparatus can be configured to switch one ormore first peripheral devices between at least two computers.Furthermore, the apparatus is also configured to couple a first computerof the at least two computers to one or more second peripheral devicesand to couple a second computer of the at least two computers to one ormore third peripheral devices. The apparatus can include: (a) a switchconfigured to couple to the at least two computers and the one or morefirst peripheral devices; (b) a first connector configured to couple tothe first computer of the at least two computers; (c) a second connectorcoupled to the first connector and configured to couple to the one ormore second peripheral devices; (d) a third connector configured tocouple to the second computer of the at least two computers; and (e) afourth connector coupled to the third connector and configured to coupleto the one or more third peripheral devices. In the same or differentembodiment, the apparatus can further include: (f) a fifth connectorcoupled to the switch and configured to couple to the first computer ofthe at least two computers; (g) a sixth connector coupled to the switchand configured to couple to the second computer of the at least twocomputers; and (h) a seventh connector coupled to the switch andconfigured to couple to one of the one or more first peripheral devices.

In yet other embodiments, an apparatus is configured to switch one ormore first peripheral devices between at least two computers. Theapparatus is also configured to couple a first computer of the at leasttwo computers to one or more third peripheral devices and couple asecond computer of the at least two computers to one or more fourthperipheral devices. The apparatus includes: (a) a switch configured tocouple to the at least two computers and the one or more firstperipheral devices; (b) a first hub configured to couple to the firstcomputer of the at least two computers and the one or more thirdperipheral devices; and (c) a second hub configured couple to the secondcomputer of the at least two computers and the one or more fourthperipheral devices.

Still further embodiments teach a method of manufacturing a switchingapparatus. In these embodiments, the switching apparatus can beconfigured to electrically couple one or more peripheral devices to twoor more computers. The method comprises: (a) providing a first hub withan input port and two or more output ports; (b) providing a second hubwith an input port and two or more output ports; (c) providing a switch;(d) electrically coupling a first port of the two or more output portsof the first hub to the switch; (e) electrically coupling a first portof the two or more output ports of the second hub to the switch; (f)providing three or more output connectors with each of the three or moreoutput connectors configured to couple to one of the one or moreperipheral devices; (g) electrically coupling a second port of the twoor more output ports of the first hub to a first output connector of thethree or more output connectors; (h) electrically coupling a second portof the two or more output ports of the second hub to a second outputconnector of the three or more output connectors; and (i) electricallycoupling the switch to a third output connector of the three or moreoutput connectors.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a switching device 100coupling computers 181, 182, and 183 to peripheral devices 191, 192,193, 194, 195, and 196, according to a first embodiment. In someexamples, switching device 100 can be considered to be or to include aswitchbox or an apparatus for switching. Switching device 100 is merelyexemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.Switching device 100 can be employed in many different embodiments orexamples not specifically depicted or described herein.

Switching device 100 can be configured to couple: (a) computer 181 toperipheral devices 191, 193, 194, and 195; (b) computer 182 toperipheral devices 192, 193, 194, and 195; and (c) computer 183 toperipheral devices 193, 194, 195, and 196.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, switching device 100 can switchcontrol of peripheral devices 193, 194, and 195 between computers 181,182, 183. However, each of peripheral devices 191, 192, and 196 arenon-switchably controlled by computers 181, 182, and 183, respectively.For example, switching device 100 allows computer 181 to retain controlof peripheral device 191 while control of peripheral devices 193, 194,and 195 are switched to computer 182 or 183. This configuration allowscomputer 181 to continue performing a task (e.g., transfer of data,creating a backup tape, or playing music) using peripheral device 191while one of computers 182 or 183 controls or uses peripheral devices193, 194, and 195. Moreover, limiting the number of peripheral devicesswitched between computers 181, 182, and 183 helps lower the cost of themanufacturing switching device 100.

In some embodiments, switching device 100 can include: (a) at leastswitch 150; (b) two or more hubs 110, 120, and 130; (c) one or moreemulators or emulation devices 107, 108, and 109; (d) a selection device105; and (e) three or more electrical connectors 161, 162, 163, 141,142, 143, 144, 145, and 146. In some examples, at least one of hubs 110,120, and 130 can be a USB hub. In the other examples, switching device100 does not include emulation devices 107, 108, and 109.

Electrical connectors 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146 can be configuredto couple to peripheral devices 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, and 196,respectively. Electrical connectors 161, 162, and 163 can be configuredto couple to computers 181, 182, and 183, respectively. In someembodiments, one or more of electrical connectors 161, 162, 163, 141,142, 143, 144, 145, and 146 can be USB connectors. In the same ordifferent embodiments, one or more of electrical connectors 161, 162,163, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146 can be video connectors. That is,at least one of electrical connectors 161, 162, 163, 141, 142, 143, 144,145, and 146 can be a SCART (Syndicat des Constructeurs d'AppareilsRadiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs) connector, an S-video (separate video)connector, a VGA (Video Graphics Array) connector, an HDMI(High-Definition Multimedia Interface) connector, a DVI (Digital VisualInterface), an ADC (Apple Display Connector), or the like.

Switch 150 can be configured to switch peripheral devices 193, 194, and195 between computers 181, 182, and 183. In some examples, switch 150can include: (a) two or more input ports 151, 152, and 153; and (b) oneor more output ports 154, 155, and 156. Each of output ports 154, 155,and 156 can be configured to couple to one of peripheral devices 193,194, and 195. Specifically, output ports 154, 155, and 156 can becoupled to peripheral devices 193, 194, and 195, respectively, throughelectrical connectors 143, 144, and 145, respectively. In some examples,switch 150 is a KVM switch.

In the same or different embodiments, switch 150 can be a cross-pointswitch. A cross-point switch is a non-blocking switch that allows anyinput port to connect to any output port without obstructing theconnection between any other input and output ports. Accordinglycomputer 181 could be coupled to peripheral device 195, and computer 182could be switched between peripheral devices 193 and 194 withoutdisturbing the connection between peripheral device 195 and computer182.

Hub 110 can include: (a) an upstream port 111 configured to couple tocomputer 181 through electrical connector 161; (b) a downstream port 112configured to couple to peripheral device 191 through electricalconnector 141; (c) at least one downstream port 113 coupled to switch150 at input port 151; and (d) a downstream port 114 coupled toemulation device 107.

Hub 120 can include: (a) an upstream port 121 configured to couple tocomputer 182 through electrical connector 162; (b) a downstream port 122configured to couple to peripheral device 192 through electricalconnector 142; (c) at least one downstream port 123 coupled to switch150 at input port 152; and (d) a downstream port 124 coupled toemulation device 108.

Hub 130 can include: (a) an upstream port 131 configured to couple tocomputer 183 through electrical connector 163; (b) a downstream port 132configured to couple to peripheral device 196 through electricalconnector 146; (c) at least one downstream port 133 coupled to switch150 at input port 153; and (d) a downstream port 134 coupled toemulation device 109.

In some embodiments, computers 181, 182, and 183 could require emulationdevices 107, 108, 109, respectively, to be coupled to the computer tofunction properly. Emulation devices 107, 108, and 109 can makecomputers 181, 182, and 183, respectively, believe that peripheraldevices 193, 194, and 195 (or other similar peripheral devices) arecoupled to the computer when peripheral devices 193, 194 and 195 arecoupled to another computer by switch 150. For example, many computersneed, and several operating systems require, a mouse and keyboard to becoupled to the computer for the computer to function properly.Accordingly, as an example, if peripheral device 193 is a mouse and ifperipheral device 194 is a keyboard, emulation devices 107 and 108 canemulate a keyboard and a mouse to computers 181 and 182, respectively,when peripheral devices 193 and 194 are controlled by computer 183.

In some examples, emulation devices 107, 108, and 109 are configured toemulate one or more of peripheral devices 193, 194, and 195. That is,emulation device 107 can emulate one or more of peripheral devices 193,194, and 195 for computer 181. Emulation device 108 can emulate one ormore of peripheral devices 193, 194, and 195 for computer 182. Emulationdevice 109 can emulate one or more of peripheral devices 193, 194, and195 for computer 183.

Selection device 105 is configured to allow a user to control switch150. That is, selection device 105 is configured to control theswitching of switch 150. Selection device 105 allows a user to utilizecomputers 181, 182, and 183 to control peripheral devices 193, 194, and195. Selection device 105 can be implemented using any type ofelectrical, mechanical, or electromagnetic mechanism for performing theselection and switching function.

In some embodiments, selection device 105 can be a physical switch. Forexample, selection device 105 can be a mechanical dial, which can beturned to any one of three discrete positions for selecting one ofcomputers 181, 182, and 183, respectively. Alternatively, selectiondevice 105 can be three mechanical buttons or the like. A user can pushone of the buttons to choose one of computers 181, 182, and 183 tocontrol peripheral devices 193, 194, and 195.

In yet another embodiment, selection device 105 can be a software and/orhardware components that allows the user to perform the selectionprocess through peripheral devices 193, 194, and 195 and/or computers181, 182 and/or 183. That is, a window, a button, or the like can appearon the computer screen of a video monitor, and the user can switchcontrol of peripheral devices 193, 194, and 195 between computers 181,182, and 183.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, switching device 100 switchesthree computers between three peripheral devices. None of theembodiments described herein, however, are limited to switching threeperipheral devices between three computers. For example in otherembodiments switching device 100 could switch one, two, four, or moreperipheral devices between two, four, or more computers.

Similarly, switching device 100 couples each of computers 181, 182, and183 to one non-switched peripheral device (i.e., peripheral devices 191,192 and 196, respectively). In other embodiments, switching device 100could couple each of computers 181, 182, and 183 to zero, two, or morenon-switched peripheral devices.

FIG. 2 illustrates a switching device 200 coupling computers 181, 182,and 183 to peripheral devices 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, and 196,according to a second embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, switching device200 can be configured to couple: (a) computer 181 to peripheral devices191, 193, 194, and 195; (b) computer 182 to peripheral devices 192, 193,194, and 195; and (c) computer 183 to peripheral devices 193, 194, 195,and 196. From the perspective of computer 181, 182, and 183 andperipheral devices 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, and 196, switching device200 functions identically to switching device 100 (FIG. 1).

In some embodiments, a switching device 200 can include: (a) at leastone switch 250; (b) three or more hubs 110, 120, 130, and 240; (c) oneor more emulation devices 107, 108, and 109; (d) a selection device 105;and (e) five or more electrical connectors 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146,161, 162, and 163. In other examples, switching device 200 does notinclude emulation devices 107, 108, and 109.

In some examples, hub 240 can include an upstream port 236 and two ormore downstream ports 237, 238, and 239. Downstream ports 237, 238, and239 are coupled to peripheral devices 193, 194, and 195 throughelectrical connectors 143, 144, and 145, respectively. In some examples,hub 240 is a USB hub.

In various embodiments, switch 250 can be a three input and one outputswitch. That is, switch 250 switches the one output port 254 between thethree input ports 251, 252, and 253. In various examples, downstreamports 113, 123, and 133 are coupled to input ports 251, 252, and 253,respectively. Output port 254 is coupled to an upstream port 236 of hub240.

Referring to another embodiment, FIG. 3 illustrates a switching device300 coupling computers 181 and 182 to peripheral devices 191, 192, 193,194, and 195, according to a third embodiment. In this embodiment,switching device 300 is configured to switch peripheral devices 193,194, and 194 between computers 181 and 182 and non-switchably coupleeach of computers 181 and 182 to peripheral devices 191 and 192,respectively. That is, switching device 300 is configured to couple: (a)computer 181 to peripheral devices 191, 193, 194, and 195; and (b)computer 182 to peripheral devices 192, 193, 194, and 195. In someembodiments, peripheral devices 193, 194, and 195 can be a keyboard, amouse, and a video monitor, respectively.

In some embodiments, switching device 300 can include: (a) one or moreswitches 357, 358, and 359; (b) two or more hubs 310 and 320; (c) atleast one emulation device 306; (d) a selection device 305; and (e)three or more electrical connectors 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 161, and162.

In some examples, switch 357 can be coupled to a downstream port of eachof hubs 310 and 320 and configured to couple to peripheral device 193through electrical connector 143. In some examples, switch 357 can be amultiplexer. In various embodiments, switch 357 can be a keyboard switchor keyboard multiplexer.

In the same or different examples, switch 358 can be coupled to thedownstream ports of each of hubs 310 and 320 and configured to couple toperipheral device 194, through electrical connector 144. Switch 358 canbe a multiplexer. In various embodiments, switch 358 can be a mouseswitch or a mouse multiplexer.

Similarly, switch 359 can be coupled to the downstream ports of each ofhubs 310 and 320 and configured to couple to peripheral device 195through electrical connector 145. Switch 359 can be a multiplexer insome examples. In various embodiments, switch 359 can be a video switchor video multiplexer. When switch 359 is a video switch or videomultiplexer, electrical connector 145 can be a video connector.

Selection device 305 can be coupled to switches 357, 358, and 359. Insome embodiments, selection device 305 can allow the user toindependently select which of computers 181 and 182 control each ofperipheral devices 193, 194, and 195. For example, selection device 305can include a selection dial for each of peripheral devices 193, 194,and 195. In other embodiments, selection device can be identical orsimilar to selection device 105 of FIG. 1.

In some examples, emulation device 306 is configured to emulate one ormore of peripheral devices 193, 194, and 195. For example, if peripheraldevice 193 is a computer mouse, peripheral device 194 is a keyboard, andperipheral device 195 is a video monitor, emulation device 306 canemulate a mouse, a keyboard, and/or a video monitor to computers 181 and182.

In some embodiments, emulation device 306 only emulates peripheraldevices 193, 194, and 195 to the one of computers 181 and 182 notcurrently controlling peripheral devices 193, 194, and 195. In otherembodiments, emulation device 306 emulates the coupling of peripheraldevices 193, 194, and 195 or other peripheral devices to computers 181and 182 regardless of which of computers 181 and 182 are controllingperipheral devices 193, 194, and 195. For example, if peripheral device193 is a mouse and if computer 181 is controlling peripheral device 193,emulation device 306 could make it appear to computer 181 that two miceare coupled to computer 181.

In alternative examples, emulation device 306 can include or be replacedby one or more emulation modules. Each of the emulation modules can beconfigured to emulate at least one of peripheral devices 193, 194, and195. In some examples, each of the one or more emulation modules can becoupled to one hub of hubs 310 and 320.

FIG. 4 illustrates a switching device 400 coupling computers 181 and 182to peripheral devices 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 497, and 498, accordingto a fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, switching device 400 isconfigured to switch peripheral devices 193, 194, and 195 betweencomputers 181 and 182 and non-switchably couple computer 181 toperipheral devices 191 and 497, and non-switchably couple computer 182to peripheral devices 192 and 498.

In some embodiments, switching device 400 can include: (a) at least oneswitch 150; (b) two or more hubs 110 and 120; (c) emulation devices 107and 108; (d) selection device 105; and (e) electrical connectors 141,142, 143, 144, 145, 447, 448, 461, 462, 464, and 465. In some examples,electrical connectors 461 and 464 can be configured to couple tocomputer 181; electrical connectors 462 and 465 can be configured tocouple to computer 182; electrical connectors 141, 142, 143, 144, 145,447, and 448 can be configured to couple to peripheral devices 191, 192,193, 194, 195, 497, and 498, respectively. In other embodiments,switching device 400 does not include emulation devices 107 and 108.

In these embodiments, computers 181 can be coupled to switch 150 and hub110. Specifically, electrical connector 461 is coupled to input port 151of switch 150; electrical connector 464 is coupled to upstream port 111of hub 110.

Likewise, computer 182 can be coupled to switch 150 and hub 120. Thatis, electrical connector 462 is coupled to input port 152 of switch 150;electrical connector 465 is coupled to upstream port 121 of hub 120.

Hub 110 can be configured to couple to peripheral devices 191 and 497.Specifically, downstream ports 112 and 415 can be coupled to electricalconnectors 141 and 447, respectively. Similarly, hub 120 can beconfigured to couple to peripheral devices 192 and 498. That is,downstream ports 122 and 425 can be coupled to electrical connectors 142and 448, respectively.

FIG. 5 illustrates a switching device 500 coupling computers 181 and 182to peripheral devices 191, 192, 193, and 194, according to a fifthembodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, switching device 500 can include: (a) aswitch 550; and (b) electrical connectors 141, 142, 143, 144, 461, 462,464, and 465. In this embodiment, switching device 500 is configured toswitch peripheral devices 193 and 194 between computers 181 and 182 andnon-switchably couple computer 181 to peripheral devices 191, andnon-switchably couple computer 182 to peripheral devices 192.

In some embodiments, electrical connector 464 and 465 can be coupled toelectrical connectors 141 and 142, respectively. Electrical connectors461 and 462 can be coupled to input ports 551 and 552 of switch 550,respectively. Electrical connectors 143 and 144 can be coupled to outputports 554 and 555 of switch 550, respectively.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a method 600 of manufacturing aswitching apparatus. For example, the switching apparatus can beidentical or similar to switching device 100 of FIG. 1. In someembodiments, the switching apparatus can be configured to electricallycouple three or more peripheral devices to two or more computers.

Method 600 includes an activity 670 of providing two or more hubs. Eachhub of the two or more hubs can have an upstream port and two or moredownstream ports. As an example, the two or more hubs can be similar oridentical to hubs 110, 120, and/or 130 of FIG. 1. The upstream port ofeach hub can be similar or identical to upstream ports 111, 121, and/or131 of hubs 110, 120 and 130, respectively, as illustrated in FIG. 1.The two or downstream ports of each hub can be identical or similar todownstream ports 112, 113, and 114 of hub 110, downstream ports 122,123, and 124 of hub 120, and/or downstream ports 132, 133, and 134 ofhub 130, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Method 600 in FIG. 6 continues with an activity 671 of providing aswitch. For example, the switch can be similar or identical to switch150 or 250, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively.

In other examples, the switch can be composed of or replaced with one ormore switching modules. Each of the switching modules can switch one ofthe peripheral devices between the two or more computers. For example,each of the switching modules can be identical or similar to theswitches 357, 358, and 359 of FIG. 3.

Subsequently, method 600 of FIG. 6 includes an activity 672 of providinga selection module. For example, the selection module can be identicalor similar to selection device 105 or 305 of FIGS. 1 and 3,respectively.

Next, method 600 of FIG. 6 includes an activity 673 of providing atleast one emulation device. For example, the at least one emulationdevice can be similar or identical to emulation devices 107, 108, and/or109 as illustrated in FIG. 1 or emulation device 306 as illustrated FIG.3.

Method 600 in FIG. 6 continues with an activity 674 of providing four ormore electrical connectors. For example, the four or more connectors canbe similar or identical to electrical connectors 141, 142, 143, 144,145, 146, 161, 162, and/or 163, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

In some examples, activity 674 can be considered to include theprocedures of: (a) providing two or more output connectors; and (b)providing two or more input connectors. That is, the four or moreelectrical connectors can include the input connectors. Each of theinput connectors can be configured to couple to one of the two or morecomputers. In some examples, the input connectors can be similar oridentical to electrical connectors 161, 162, and 163, as illustrated inFIG. 1.

The four or more electrical connectors can also include two or moreoutput connectors. Each of the output connectors can be configured tocouple to one of the one or more peripheral devices. In some examples,the output connectors can be similar or identical to electricalconnectors 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Subsequently, method 600 of FIG. 6 includes an activity 675 of selectinga hub from the two or more hubs. In the example illustration FIG. 1, oneof hubs 110, 120, or 130 (FIG. 1) can be selected.

Referring again to FIG. 6, after selecting a hub from the two or morehubs, method 600 of FIG. 6 includes an activity 676 of electricallycoupling an electrical connector of the four or more electricalconnectors to the upstream port of the selected hub. For example,electrically coupling an electrical connector of the four or moreelectrical connectors to the upstream port of the selected hub can besimilar or identical to the coupling of upstream port 111 to electricalconnector 161, the coupling of upstream port 121 to electrical connector162, and/or the coupling of upstream port 131 to electrical connector163, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Method 600 in FIG. 6 continues with an activity 677 of electricallycoupling a first port of the two or more downstream ports of theselected hub to the switch. For example, the electrical coupling of thefirst port of the two or more downstream ports of the selected hub tothe switch can be similar or identical to the coupling of downstreamport 113 to input port 151 of switch 150, the coupling of downstreamport 123 of hub 120 to input port 152 of switch 150, and/or the couplingof downstream port 132 to input port 153 of switch 150, as illustratedin FIG. 1.

Subsequently, method 600 of FIG. 6 includes an activity 678 ofelectrically coupling a second port of the two or more downstream portsof the selected hub to an electrical connector of the four or moreelectrical connectors. For example, the electrical coupling of thesecond port of the two or more downstream ports of the selected hub tothe electrical connector of the four or more electrical connectors canbe similar or identical to the coupling of downstream port 112 toelectrical connector 141, the coupling of downstream port 122 toelectrical connector 142, and/or the coupling of downstream port 132 toelectrical connector 146, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Next, method 600 of FIG. 6 includes an activity 679 of deciding whetherto select another hub. If any of the two or more hubs have not alreadybeen selected, the next activity in method 600 is activity 675 ofselecting a hub from the two or more hubs. If every hub of the two ormore hubs has been already been selected, the next activity in method600 is an activity 680. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, if all ofhubs 110, 120, and 130 have not been selected, the next procedure isactivity 675 (FIG. 6). If all of hubs 110, 120, and 130 have beenselected, the next procedure is activity 680 (FIG. 6).

Referring again to FIG. 6, activity 680 of method 600 in FIG. 6 is anactivity of electrically coupling the switch to at least one electricalconnector of the four or more electrical connectors. For example, theelectrical coupling of the switch to at least one electrical connectorof the four or more electrical connectors can be similar or identical tothe coupling of output ports 154, 155, and 156 of switch 150 toelectrical connectors 143, 144, and 145, respectively, as illustrated inFIG. 1.

In some embodiments, the switch can be coupled to the four or moreelectrical connectors through a hub. For example, the electricalcoupling of the switch to at least one electrical connector of the fouror more electrical connectors can be similar or identical to thecoupling of switch 250 to electrical connectors 143, 144, and 145through hub 240, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Subsequently, method 600 of FIG. 6 includes an activity 681 ofelectrically coupling the selection device to the switch. The electricalcoupling of selection device to the switch can be similar or identicalto the coupling of selection device 105 to switch 150, as illustrated inFIG. 1 or the coupling of selection devices 305 to switches 357, 358,and 359, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Next, method 600 of FIG. 6 includes an activity 682 of electricallycoupling the at least one emulation device to the at least one of thetwo or more hubs. For example, coupling of the at least one emulationdevice to the at least one of the two or more hubs can be similar oridentical to the coupling of emulation devices 107, 108, and 109 to hubs110, 120, and 130, respectively, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In anotherexample, the coupling can be similar or identical to the coupling ofemulation device 306 to hubs 310 and 320, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

In other embodiments, the order of activities 670-682 can vary. Forexample, activities 680-682 could occur before or concurrent withactivities 675-679. In another example, activity 674 can occur before orconcurrent with activities 670, 671, and 673. In still another example,activities 675-679 could occur before, after, or concurrent withactivities 670-674 and 680-682.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scopeof the invention. For example, it will be readily apparent the switchingdevice could be configured such that a user can decide whether emulationdevices 107, 108, and 109 (FIG. 1) emulate one or more of peripheraldevices 193, 194, and 195 (FIG. 1). Additional examples of such changeshave been given in the foregoing description. Accordingly, thedisclosure of embodiments of the invention is intended to beillustrative of the scope of the invention and is not intended to belimiting. It is intended that the scope of the invention shall belimited only to the extent required by the appended claims. To one ofordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that the case andmethod of use discussed herein may be implemented in a variety ofembodiments, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of theseembodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of allpossible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings,and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodimentof the invention, and may disclose alternative embodiments of theinvention.

All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to theinvention claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacement ofone or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair.Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems havebeen described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits,advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that maycause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, oressential features or elements of any or all of the claims.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicatedto the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/orlimitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are orare potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations inthe claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

1. A switching device configured to couple a first computer to a firstperipheral device and one or more second peripheral devices, theswitching device comprising: a switch configured to couple to the one ormore second peripheral devices; a first hub comprising: a first upstreamport configured to couple to the first computer; a first downstream portconfigured to couple to the first peripheral device without electricallycoupling to the switch; and at least one second downstream port coupledto the switch; a first electrical connector coupled to the firstdownstream port of the first hub and configured to couple to the firstperipheral device; and one or more second connectors coupled to theswitch and configured to couple to the one or more second peripheraldevices.
 2. The switching device of claim 1, wherein: the switchcomprises: one or more output ports; and each of the one or more outputports is configured to couple to a different one of the one or moresecond peripheral devices via the one or more second connectors.
 3. Theswitching device of claim 1, wherein: the one or more second connectorscomprise at least one universal serial bus connector and a videoconnector.
 4. The switching device of claim 1, wherein: the first hubcomprises a universal serial bus hub.
 5. The switching device of claim1, wherein: the switch comprises: a cross-point switch coupled to the atleast one second downstream port of the first hub.
 6. The switchingdevice of claim 1, further comprising: a first emulation deviceconfigured to emulate at least one of the one or more second peripheraldevices, wherein: the first hub further comprises: a third downstreamport coupled to the first emulation device.
 7. The switching device ofclaim 1 wherein: the first electrical connector is directly coupled tothe first downstream port of the first hub.
 8. The switching device ofclaim 1 wherein: the first electrical connector and the first downstreamport of the first hub are devoid of an electrical coupling to theswitch.
 9. The switching device of claim 2, further comprising: a thirdelectrical connector coupled to the first upstream port of the first huband configured to couple to the first computer.
 10. The switching deviceof claim 9, wherein: the third electrical connector is a universalserial bus connector.
 11. An electronic switchbox configured to switch akeyboard and a mouse between one or more computers and couple the one ormore computers to one or more peripheral devices, the electricalswitchbox comprising: a keyboard switch configured to couple to thekeyboard; a mouse switch configured to couple to the mouse; and one ormore hubs, wherein: each of the one or more hubs is configured to couplea different computer of the one or more computers to the keyboard switchand the mouse switch; and each of the one or more hubs is furtherconfigured to couple the different computer of the one or more computersto at least one peripheral device of the one or more peripheral deviceswithout using the keyboard switch or the mouse switch.
 12. Theelectronic switchbox of claim 11, further comprising: a video switchconfigured to couple to a video monitor; wherein: each of the one ormore hubs is further configured to couple the different computer of theone or more computers to the video switch; and each of the one or morehubs is further configured to couple the different computer of the oneor more computers to the at least one peripheral device of the one ormore peripheral devices without using the video switch.
 13. Theelectronic switchbox of claim 11, wherein: each hub of the one or morehubs comprises: an upstream port configured to couple to a different oneof the one or more computers; and one or more downstream ports; thekeyboard switch comprises: a first multiplexer coupled to a first one ofthe one or more downstream ports of each hub of the one or more hubs,the first multiplexer is further configured to couple to the keyboard;and the mouse switch comprises: a second multiplexer coupled to a secondone of the one or more downstream ports of each hub of the one or morehubs, the second multiplexer is further configured to couple to themouse.
 14. The electronic switchbox of claim 11, further comprising: anemulator configured to emulate the keyboard and the mouse to at leastone of the one or more computers.
 15. The electronic switchbox of claim11, wherein: each of the one or more hubs is further configured todirectly couple to the different computer of the one or more computers;and each of the one or more hubs is further configured to directlycouple to the at least one peripheral device of the one or moreperipheral devices.
 16. The electronic switchbox of claim 12, wherein:the keyboard switch, the video switch, and the mouse switch areintegrated into a single switch.
 17. The electronic switchbox of claim14, wherein: the emulator comprises: one or more emulation modules; eachof the one or more emulation modules configured to emulate the keyboardand the mouse to one of the one or more computers; and each of the oneor more emulation modules is coupled to a different hub of the one ormore hubs.
 18. A method of manufacturing a switching apparatus, theswitching apparatus configured to electrically couple one or moreperipheral devices to one or more computers, the method comprising:providing a first hub with an upstream port and two or more downstreamports; providing a switch; electrically coupling a first port of the twoor more downstream ports of the first hub to the switch; providing twoor more output connectors configured to couple to the one or moreperipheral devices; electrically coupling a second port of the two ormore downstream ports of the first hub to a first output connector ofthe two or more output connectors without electrically coupling thesecond port of the two or more downstream ports of the first hub to theswitch; and electrically coupling the switch to a second outputconnector of the two or more output connectors.
 19. The method of claim18, further comprising: providing a first one of one or more inputconnectors configured to couple to one of the one or more computers;electrically coupling the first one of the one or more input connectorsto the upstream port of the first hub.
 20. The method of claim 18,wherein: electrically coupling the second port of the two or moredownstream ports of the first hub comprises: directly coupling thesecond port of the two or more downstream ports of the first hub to thefirst output connector of the two or more output connectors.
 21. Themethod of claim 18, wherein: providing the two or more output connectorscomprises: providing the two or more output connectors to comprise twoor more universal serial bus connectors.